Author(s)

Sibgatullah Nazki

Affiliation(s)

University of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, 193201, India.

Corresponding Author

Sibgatullah Nazki

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the intricate dynamics of female relationships in Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin (2000). Atwood presents a sophisticated portrayal of female bonding that surpasses conventional narratives of sisterhood and friendship, highlighting the complex interplay of intimacy, rivalry, and betrayal. The novel’s multi-layered structure integrates a fictional memoir, a science fiction narrative, and a contemporary storyline. It also mirrors the multifaceted nature of the female connections it depicts. This paper investigates how Atwood subverts traditional notions of solidarity by conducting a detailed analysis of the relationships between Iris and Laura Chase, as well as the broader female characters in their social environment. By exposing the underlying tensions and contradictions within these relationships, Atwood reveals the complexities of female bonds that are not easily reconciled with simplistic ideals of unity or support. The paper situates these relationships within the novel’s broader social, historical, and patriarchal contexts, demonstrating how Atwood redefines the possibilities and limitations of female intimacy and alliance. This critical exploration offers insights into how Atwood’s narrative challenges prevailing assumptions about women’s agency and identity, providing a reflective commentary on the constraints imposed by a patriarchal society and the ways in which female characters navigate these constraints.

KEYWORDS

Sisterhood; Obligations; Expectation; Trauma; Conflict; Oppression

CITE THIS PAPER

Sibgatullah Nazki. Entangled femininities: the complexities of female bonding in Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin. Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities Research. 2024, 2(7): 44-51. DOI: 10.61784/tsshr3060.

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